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Australia Fair

Australia Fair

By: SBS
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 Australia is often touted as one of the 'most successful multicultural countries on the planet' - but are we really? While today more than half of all Australians have a parent born overseas, Australia has a weird and troubled immigration history that dates back to The White Australia Policy and beyond. Host Janak Rogers takes a look at key moments in Australia’s migration story and unpacks the nation's thorny relationship with race.Copyright 2025, Special Broadcasting Services Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Australia Fair: The Long Tail of the White Australia Policy

    Australia Fair: The Long Tail of the White Australia Policy
    Oct 6 2024
    Australia is often touted as a multicultural success story, but what does that really mean? And how did we get here? With more than half of all Australians having a parent born overseas, we are indeed a nation of immigrants today. But this isn't the full picture. In this series Janak Rogers explores key moments in Australia's migration history, unpacking Australia's colonial past and our troubled relationship with race. Drawing on his experiences, Janak examines the contradictions in Australia's identity as a celebrated multicultural nation with a long history of racism.
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    5 mins
  • 1. 'Alien and Servile Characters'

    1. 'Alien and Servile Characters'
    Oct 21 2024
    In the debut episode of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers examines the contradictions in Australia's identity as a multicultural nation with a history of racism. Drawing from his experiences growing up in 1980s Sydney, Janak explores how Australia's colonial past and policies like the White Australia policy have shaped the country's approach to race and immigration. Featuring insights from experts like Jacqui Katona, Tim Soutphommasane, and Abul Rizvi, the episode delves into the brutal impact of colonialism on First Nations people and the economic and racial motivations behind policies that aimed to maintain a white majority. The discussion highlights how these historical practices continue to influence modern Australia, from cultural symbols to ongoing debates about race and belonging.
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    31 mins
  • 2. 'The Golden Race'

    2. 'The Golden Race'
    Oct 21 2024
    How did we get to the White Australia policy in the first place? In Episode 2 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers dives into the long and turbulent history of Australia’s relationship with China. From today’s sensational media coverage stoking fears of Chinese invasion to the discriminatory fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the episode explores how these issues intersect with Australia's historical prejudices and contemporary anxieties. We delve into the dark legacy of anti-Chinese sentiment from the Gold Rush era, tracing its influence on policies like the White Australia policy and its modern manifestations. Featuring interviews with filmmaker Corrie Chen, historians Natalie Fong and Anna Kyi and more, Janak tries to upack the complex relationship between Australia and China, and reflect on the historical roots that continue to shape our nation's approach to race and immigration.
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    29 mins

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.